Veteran spinner Nathan Lyon, who held the esteemed position of songmaster for the Australian men's cricket team for 12 years, has resigned from the iconic role. Lyon decided after Australia defeated the West Indies in the opening Test of a three-match series in Barbados on June 27. Lyon has stated that he has no immediate plans to retire, unlike in the past when players usually reserved the honour of leading the team's victory song, Under the Southern Cross, for the latter stages of their careers. The renowned off-spinner stated that he decided to hand off the baton to honour Alex Carey, one of the team's kindest members.

"It’s more about the team environment, making sure I get the opportunity to pass it on to someone I admire and absolutely love for the way he goes about things on and off the field. I just feel like Alex is the perfect candidate. I’ve run my race with it, and it’s time for someone else to put their touch on it," Lyon said.

"I’ve loved having the privilege to lead the team song, but now I can sit back, hopefully enjoy a few wins, and just relax and take it all in. It definitely doesn’t mean I’m retiring anytime soon," he added.

The songmaster is a part of an iconic tradition that has been passed down from one generation to the next for Australian musicians. In 2013, Lyon took over from Michael Hussey. Ricky Ponting had entrusted the responsibility to Justin Langer, who had then given it to Hussey. Rodney Marsh, Allan Border, and David Boon had previously won the title. Historically, the position has been awarded to people who have demonstrated excellent leadership abilities and made a big impression in the dressing room.

In the victory in Barbados, Lyon, who claimed three wickets, reaffirmed his goal to stay at least through the upcoming World Test Championship cycle. The 37-year-old off-spinner stated that he is still focused on winning a Test series in India and that he sees Australia's next subcontinental tour as his top priority.

Before going to England for the Ashes, Australia will travel to India for a five-Test series in early 2027. Lyon stated that in order to be in peak form for the home Ashes series later this year, he will approach each match one at a time.

"I’ve always said I want to win away in India. I want to win away in England. We’ve got that opportunity in a couple of years’ time, but we’ve also got to take it Test by Test and make sure we’re doing everything right here in the West Indies. Then we’ve got a massive summer at home with the Ashes. But another World Test Championship final is definitely on my radar," Lyon added.

Lyon is still Australia's first-choice spinner in one of the most prestigious bowling attacks in international cricket, having claimed 556 wickets in 138 Test matches.